The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-11-08
WASHING AND IRONING.

WASHING AND IRONING.
BY ELIZA II. PARKER.
There is no department of household labor
that requires closer supervision than washing and
ironing and while it is not necessary or advisable
for every housekeeler to do the work herself it is
very important that she should know oW to do it
IN order to direct others.
To wash properly, it is important to have every
thing readiness and all the utensils in order for
the work Tubs sufficient in number aad Of suitable
Aize should be furnished, and kept clean, the wash
boa should be smooth and free from nails, and the
work bench finn and high TO prevent fatigue from
bending.
Tie clothes line and pins should be putin a basket
or bay foG safe keeping; hemp cotton cord is bet
ter than wire line.
Soft water is better than hard water for washing,
and rain wafer lr4terable to any other. When
everything.i in readiness for the work. assert the
clothes separate the fine from the coarse, and the
slightly soiled from the soiled Hot suds will
set stains and it is therefore est to seald all of the
table linen, and articles which are stained, by pour
ing boiling water lom the tea kettle on them
Have the water in the tubs as warm the hand
will bear being careful not to have it too hot Wash
first one boilerful, taking through two suds, then
place in boiler OF cold water, with soap to make
suds little borax added to the water viii whiten
the clothes, without iujurng the texture of linen.
Clothes should never boil over five minutes, and
many excellent laundresses do not boil them at all,
but pour boiling water over them. After they
removed to the tubs cold water should be poured
over them, and every garment turned wrong side
out, and thoroughly washed and rinsed i'll a tub of
clear soft water. Then in blue water, from which
they should lie wrung out for the last time; those
not to be sarched should be hung out immC diately,
and the others dipped in starch as hot as the hands
will bear. These desired to be very stiff should be
Btar1hed FIRST, and well shaken before hanging on
the line to prevent WrinllinS.
When dry remove to the clothes basket. Turn all
garments right side out, shake well, pull smoothly,
beginning al the top of The garment, roll each TO
itself fold sheets without sprinklng, after stretch
ing and lay on top over all spread the ironing
blanket
If machine is used in washing it is better to
soak the clothes over night IN warm water. Some
housekeepels use washing fluids, and if the ingred
ents are harmless, they tighten the labor, without
destroying tie fabric. The following are among the
best fluids
To five quarts Of water put one pound of salsoda
half pound Of unsacked lime, and small lump of
bo1ax Boil, when cold pour of and bottle. Use
one teacuplul for every boiler of clothes.
Washing Fluid--Ono tablespoonful of soda, and
one teacup Of coal oil to ten gallons OF water.
Wa hing Fluid-One halfa bar of hard soap one
ounce each Of Saltpetre and bOax Dissolved in four
quarts Of water, when cold add five ounces of
spirits ofammonia. Bottle and use as soap
washing Fhil-Equal parts of turpentine and
ammonia. Add 10 water.
OK gall soap is an excellent article for use in the
laundry Take one pint of gall, cut into it two
pounds Of bar soap, and add one quart of boiling
water Boil and p ur ont to cool, cut n squares.
Add to the suds used or washing.
Before washing farnels, dust and shake well, and
never apply soap, bul make strong suds
For washing wcolen and silk goods, never rub
a.. las, win tIa
hands, up and dov II in the suds Rubbing shrinks
them.
Never wash wooden goods or blankets on a cloudy
day.
For washing colored cotton goods great care is
NECESSARY to preserve their freshness; slteens, ging
hams, calicoes, and Tnusns washed in warm suds
will retain their freshness long time They should
never be lett long in the suds but should be washed
and dried as speedily as possible.
Ammonia may be used instead of soap for goods
liable 10 fade. FAX pepper put in the water in
which buff, gray, or black dresses are washed Will
preserve the color
Fruit stains may lie removed by wetting with
whisky or ammonia before wishing or by pouring
b)iline water over. Thoroughly rubbing common
baking soda a1d wetting witacoa oil, letting hang
in the sun, win remove tie worst stains from the
most delicate fabrics
Making gtol s:arch is more difficult than most
peopc ,aagiue but If attention is given the sub
let, the process is easily learned Dissolve two
tabesuoo'isul Of starch in little cold water, wit
It perfectly smooth, pourin boiling water and stir
briskly A pint of water should be allowed to IN
ounce Of otarch add pinch OF salt, half teaspoon
ful 0 coal OIL ada few drops Of blueing, Boil
twenty minutes Strain. and use as hot as possible.
white glac mag he dissolved in starch TO make it
glossy crira arabic is also excellent.